UN Military Observers Group becomes target of Indian firing at LoC

In blatant disregard for ceasefire, Indian troops on Wednesday fired upon a vehicle carrying United Nations observers who were visiting areas along the Line of Control.

“Indian troops committed an unprovoked ceasefire violation, targeting a UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) vehicle in the Khanjar Sector along the LoC,” a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

“The vehicle, carrying UNMOGIP Officers Major Emmanual of the Philippines and Major Mirko of Croatia, had the blue UNMOGIP flag hoisted as per procedure,” the military’s media wing pointed out.

It said that both UN officers were unhurt in the attack as they were not aboard the vehicle at the time. The UN officers are now “back at their location,” ISPR added.

It said that both UN officers were unhurt in the attack as they were not aboard the vehicle at the time. The UN officers are now “back at their location,” ISPR added.

On May 17, the Pakistan Army invited UN observers to the General Headquarters to lodge a protest against Indian troops’ unprovoked ceasefire violations and targeting of civilians living along the LoC, particularly on the 10th, 13th and 16th of that month.

Indian troops used both small and heavy arms in the attacks in the Sabzkot, Baroh, Tandar, Khuiratta, Kot Koterra and Karela sectors, which left one civilian dead and 15 others, including women and children, wounded.

The LoC has witnessed sporadic shelling ever since Indian security forces killed prominent Kashmir youth leader Burhan Wani in an encounter last July. Pakistan has accused India of keeping the situation along the ceasefire line tense in order to distract world’s attention away from its atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir.